CHELSEA have suffered a big blow in their pursuit of Norwegian wonderkid Erling Haaland, with the Dortmund start reportedly set to choose one of Man Utd, Man City or Liverpool.
We’ve also got all the latest from the Premier League, as well as an update on Cristiano Ronaldo’s future.
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GET ENG LINE
Gareth Southgate somehow needs to pick a 23-man squad for this summer’s rearranged Euro 2020 tournament.
And then he will be tasked with narrowing that down a starting XI to face Croatia on June 13.
Between now and then, there will be plenty of factors to consider – not least form and injuries.
But here are five players we think should, as things stand, definitely be lining up at Wembley that afternoon HERE…
SILVA PINING
Arsenal have joined Manchester United in the hunt for Eintracht Frankfurt striker Andre Silva as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette, according to reports.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Co recently registered an interest in the Portuguese striker.
United appeared to have a clear run at Silva, but Arsenal have now revealed they are interested, according to Calciomercato.
The report in Italy claims Gunners chief Mikel Arteta views Silva as a direct replacement for Lacazette.
C-ASH CRISIS
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley has suffered a new double setback in his legal battle with the Premier League.
Toon chief Ashley launched arbitration proceedings in November over the collapsed planned £340m Saudi takeover.
Ashley then launched a bid to get the panel chairman, sport law specialist Michael Beloff QC replaced and for the entire proceedings to be conducted in public.
Newcastle argued that Beloff could not be impartial as he had previously advised Premier League chiefs on takeover rules that led to involvement in broadcast “piracy” leading to automatically failing its owners and directors test.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman is the head of the Kingdom’s Public Investment Fund that was the leader of the Toon consortium.
It has also been named by the World Trade Organisation as responsible for the beOUTQ service that pirated the beIN Sport feed of Prem and other sporting rights in the Middle East and North Africa region.
But Newcastle’s arguments were rejected by the High Court, serving Ashley a significant blow.
BRU BEAUTY
Jack Grealish also denied that he had the best first touch in the Premier League in favour of praising Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne.
He said: “No, that’s not true.
“I do some alright touches but come on, you need to put a bit of respect on Bruno and KDB.
“De Bruyne, he’s my favourite player. I think he’s probably the most perfect player in the Prem.
BRU DON’T NEED ME
Jack Grealish says there was no point in Manchester United signing him last summer – because Bruno Fernandes had already taken his gig.
The Aston Villa skipper made the comment during a light-hearted video interview with YouTuber and avid United fan Harry Pinero.
He put Grealish on the spot by asking him why he didn’t sign for United in the summer.
But the midfielder weaved around the question and replied: “You’ve got Bruno anyway.”
STREAKS OF SUCCESS
How does Manchester City’s red-hot run compare with football’s best winning streaks?
TOP 15 LONGEST WINNING RUNS
- Bayern Munich – 23 wins (2020)
- Real Madrid – 22 wins (2014)
- MAN CITY – 21 wins* (2020-21)
- Barcelona – 18 wins (2005-06)
- PSG – 16 wins (2015-16)
- Bordeaux – 16 wins (2009)
- Real Madrid – 15 wins (2011)
- Bayern Munich – 14 wins (2017-18)
- Lyon – 14 wins (2006)
- Juventus – 13 wins (2015-16)
- Bayern Munich – 13 wins (2013-14)
- Atletico Madrid – 13 wins (2012)
- Bayern Munich – 13 wins (2009-10)
- Inter Milan – 13 wins (2007-08)
- Arsenal – 13 wins (2002)
LOC DOWN
Juventus have identified Chelsea star Jorginho as an alternative to main summer transfer target Manuel Locatelli, according to reports.
Sassuolo ace Locatelli poses as Juve’s top target ahead of the summer transfer window following a raft of impressive performances in Serie A this season.
According to Calciomercatio, however, the defending Italian champions are lining Jorginho up as a potential Plan B in case they fail to land their main man.
Juventus have been keeping tabs on the star midfielder since last season when former Blues boss Maurizio Sarri was in charge.
The Italy international broke onto the scene at Napoli in 2017 when Sarri was in charge and continued to shine bright at Stamford Bridge when the Italian coach took him along to West London.
Juventus have continued to track Jorginho even after Sarri was replaced by club legend Andrea Pirlo in the dugout last summer.
ED BOY
Edouard Mendy has set a Premier League record after becoming the ONLY goalkeeper to have kept a clean sheet in over half of his matches.
Frank Lampard fought with club brass to sign a new goalkeeper in the summer after losing faith in Kepa Arrizabalaga.
And the sacked boss’ decision has been proven to be a good one, with Thomas Tuchel now reaping the rewards.
Still early in his Premier League career, Mendy – for now, at least – is the best goalkeeper in division history in terms of clean sheets.
Of the 210 goalkeepers to have played at least ten top-flight matches, NONE boast a better clean sheets ratio than the Senegalese ace.
Mendy has kept 12 clean sheets in just 22 matches – most-recently in the 1-0 win over Liverpool at Anfield on Thursday night.
WARMS THE SOL
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer swears he isn’t trying to freeze out David De Gea in favour of Dean Henderson.
The Manchester United No1 and partner Edurne Garcai are now celebrating the arrival of their daughter Yanay.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer rubbished any conspiracy theories over David De Geaâs absenceCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
De Gea headed back to Spain to be at the birth although reports suggested he would have been happy to stick around for at least Sunday’s Manchester derby and he will face ten days in hotel quarantine upon his return to the UK.
Solskjaer said: “As soon as David travels back, we just have to follow the government rules. But I expect him to be available very soon, not too far.
“Making up stories is not fair on our fans, not fair on David, we want our players back as soon as poss. But there’s a human being in there and David was there for this fantastic day for him and his girlfriend.
“This is the biggest occasion in any parents’ lives and it’s a fantastic day for David, of course.
“When you become a dad that’s the best possible feeling you could have and the ones lucky enough to have that feeling know.”
CARTOON NETWORK
Mason Mount has revealed his goal celebration was jokingly aimed at mocking team-mate Kurt Zouma.
The England midfielder fired Chelsea into a Champions League spot after scoring a brilliant winner to pile more misery on Liverpool.
Mount, 22, picked up the ball on the left, cut inside Fabinho and drilled it into the bottom corner.
Sprinting off in celebration, Mount was joined by Ben Chilwell before they pulled off a piece of choreography.
Explaining what it meant, Mount told Chelsea’s official site: “Me and Chilly always sit together behind Zouma on the plane when we travel away for the Champions League and stuff.
“He’s always watching cartoons like anime so we usually watch from behind and laugh at him.
“We said if one of us scored, we’d do it so that was the reason behind it and obviously it’s one for Kurt as well.”
MUS STAY
Former England youth ace Jamal Musiala, 18, has penned professional terms at Bayern Munich by signing a five-year deal.
HANDBALL CHANGE
IFAB have changed the handball law just a day after Fulham’s controversial goal was chalked off against Spurs.
Now: “Accidental handball that leads to a team-mate scoring a goal or having a goal-scoring opportunity will no longer be considered an offence.”
LAZ CALL
Manchester United are looking for a team to buy Andreas Pereira in the summer as Lazio appear uninterested in triggering his release clause, according to reports.
United sent Pereira out on loan to the Serie A giants in October but he is struggling to fit into manager Simone Inzaghi’s plans and has only played a mere 548 minutes this season.
The 25-year-old has registered a mere 21 appearances across all competitions.
According to Corriere dello Sport, Lazio owner Claudio Lotito is not interested in stumping up the cash for the attacking midfielder and thus United will look for a different buyer elsewhere.
The Red Devils are hoping to offload the out-of-favour Brazilian for £21million ahead of the summer transfer window.
Pereira made a total of 40 appearances under United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer last term.
‘DEVIOUS THOUGHTS’
Michael has revealed his ‘wild theory’ that Sadio Mane refused to go down in the box against Chelsea as Mohamed Salah would have taken the resulting penalty.
Within the opening ten minutes at Anfield and the game evenly-poised at 0-0, Mane beat Andreas Christensen to a ball in the box.
And despite being clipped by the Dane, the Reds winger failed to go down for what surely would have been a spot-kick.
And speaking to Optus Sport, Owen claimed: “I couldn’t believe he didn’t go down there.
“It was a great touch and he possibly thought he might get a chance at the end of it.
“But he did something similar a week ago (against Sheffield United). I just wonder, and it might be a little bit of devious thoughts creeping into my head, Salah is the penalty taker in this team…
“And if (Mane) thinks he’s getting a chance to score he thinks ‘well I’m going to score, if I don’t stay on my feet, Salah’s going to get another penalty’.”
NO DEFENCE
Jurgen Klopp was left frustrated on the touchline with Mo Salah’s defensive contribution moments before hooking him off, according to reports.
The German boss raised eyebrows when he subbed the Premier League’s top scorer and talisman with his side 1-0 behind to Chelsea just after the hour mark.
Mo Salah was subbed by Jurgen KloppCredit: Reuters
Salah, 28, appeared suprised when his number went up and failed to hide his frustration as he headed off the field.
It was his earliest substitution in a game since September 2017.
According to sports reporter Matt Critchley, who was inside Anfield, Klopp was ‘screaming at him to track back’ before opting to bring on Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
HEND GAME – EXCLUSIVE
Dean Henderson expects to be Manchester United No1 next season – with David De Gea facing an uncertain future at the club.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to be without his first-choice goalkeeper for the rest of the month after he went back to Spain for personal reasons – believed to be the birth of his first child.
The ex-Atletico Madrid ace will be missing for at least five games, and Henderson will now get an extended run in the side.
The 23-year-old feels ready to take over in goal full-time, with United now considering selling De Gea in the summer.
Henderson was frustrated with sitting on the bench for the first eight-months of the campaign, and there were rumours he was open to leaving.
The former Sheffield United ace has been eyed by Borussia Dortmund and Tottenham, who are looking for a long-term replacement for Hugo Lloris.
But United have NO intentions of selling one of their prized academy products, with Solskjaer a huge fan of his talents.
PAIN BARRIER
Marcus Rashford could potentially need surgery on his shoulder after spearheading England’s Euros bid, according to reports.
The Manchester United striker, 23, has been hampered by the problem since November after tearing a muscle.
And the Telegraph reports he might need to have it fixed once the campaign is over if it continues to bug him.
Rashford has played 42 times for United this season and will be a key part of England manager Gareth Southgate’s plans in the summer.
The report also says that some United players are ‘amazed’ the striker has been able to play through the pain barrier for his side.
BRUCE FORCE
A furious Steve Bruce is on the hunt for the Newcastle dressing room leak – but insists his players still believe in him.
A Magpies mole revealed an extraordinary bust-up between the Toon boss and Matt Ritchie on Tuesday.
Steve Bruce and Matt Ritchie had a training ground spat this weekCredit: Reuters
The winger called Bruce a ‘coward’ for throwing him under the bus on TV after the 1-1 draw against Wolves for failing to deliver tactical instructions off the bench.
On hearing this, the Newcastle manager stormed out of his office to confront and ‘shoulder barge’ Ritchie.
But Bruce insists a training ground row is nothing new – before vowing to catch the leak.
He said: “There is no denying that I’ve had a row with Matt Ritchie. But let me tell you, these things happen at training grounds every week.
“Matty apologised the next day in front of the staff and players. It’s over and done with and we move on. The most disappointing thing is the leak and we’re all looking into it to try and find the culprit. But I’ve got 100 per cent faith in my squad and I’m sure they have in me.”
‘HE’S A GIFT’
Thomas Tuchel piled praise on ‘gift’ N’Golo Kante after his incredible performance against Liverpool – with the stats backing up the Chelsea boss.
Mason Mount stole the show with a superb, match-winning goal just minutes before half-time.
And after the game, ecstatic Tuchel told RMC Sport: “[Kante] is a gift. It’s incredible.
“I’ve never seen anything like this. At training, in games, he never stops.
“We look at the data on his intensity and he is incredible.”
PLAYING IT KOUL
Premier League target Kalidou Koulibaly could be available for a bargain £39million this summer, according to reports.
Manchester United, Liverpool and Man City have been linked with the no-nonsense centre-back along with Bayern Munich.
The coronavirus pandemic has crippled the finances of European clubs and Napoli are no different.
According to Il Mattino, Gennaro Gattuso’s side need to trim their wage bill and Koulibaly is one of the names up for sale for the right price.
Napoli’s finances will be further plunged into the red if they fail to qualify for the Champions League.
They currently sit five points adrift of fourth spot leaving Gattuso facing a fight to keep his job.
Koulibaly has a contract with the Italian side until 2023 while he holds off signing an extension.
LION SHARE
Lionel Messi will reportedly make a decision on his Barcelona future next week.
The Catalan giants’ skipper is out of contract at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.
Lionel Messi will soon decide on his futureCredit: Splash News
Cash-strapped Barca are holding presidential elections.
And The Telegraph reports Messi will hold talks with Sunday’s election winner before deciding where his future lies.
FENERB-OUCH-E
Ex-Arsenal ace Mesut Ozil suffered minor ligament damage in his ankle at new side Fenerbahce.
The former Germany international was crocked in Fenerbahce’s 1-1 draw with Antalyaspor on Thursday night and had to be stretchered off the pitch.
Mesut Ozil suffered a blow in his new coloursCredit: Getty Images – Getty
And the 32-year-old has confirmed he’ll be on the sidelines for the foreseeable future.
Ozil tweeted in Turkish: “I am very sorry that I will not be able to help our team in the upcoming games due to partial tears in the inner and outer lateral ligaments of my feet.
“I will do my best to get back on the field as soon as possible.
“Thank you very much for your support and all good wishes”
RED MIST
Jamie Redknapp hit out at Trent Alexander-Arnold for his role in Chelsea’s winner.
Liverpool lost their fifth consecutive home game for the first time in their history as Mason Mount brilliantly bagged the crucial goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold copped some flak for Mount’s winnerCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The former Reds midfielder said on Sky Sports: “I think when you’ve got the two there against one, you have to do your best to show him down the line.
“Even if he comes back inside, Trent Alexander-Arnold has got to get there quicker! He’s got to move his feet quicker, he’s got to block the ball.
“At first I’m thinking show him down the line on his left but once he comes inside, you’ve got to block it. Trent doesn’t do enough for me.
“I think you’ve got to get there quicker and block it.
“I don’t want to take anything away from what’s a brilliant goal and they’ve executed that.”
TUCH THEIR CHANCE
Here’s what Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel thought of his side’s impressive 1-0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield last night.
PLAY ZLAT FUNKY MUSIC
Zlatan Ibrahimovic further proved he lives life in the fast lane after hitching a ride on a fan’s motorbike before awkwardly singing at a music festival.
The AC Milan striker was on his way to Sanremo Festival when an accident meant he was stuck in traffic for around three hours.
With the threat of missing his duet with Bologna manager Sinisa Mihajlovic, the 39-year-old decided to jump out of the vehicle and ask a kind samaritan to drive him there.
AC Milan boss Stefano Pioli may not have been too impressed after it was revealed the motorbike driver was driving on the motorway for the first time.
Speaking about the incident, Ibrahimovic said: “There was an accident on the motorway. After three hours in the car I told my driver to open the door to let me out.
“I stopped a motorcyclist and asked him, ‘can you take me to Sanremo?’
“Luckily he was a Milan fan. When we got here he told me, ‘That was my first time on the motorway’. I’ve got the video!”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk